Describe the setting of the poem "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening."

On the surface, the setting of Robert Frost’s poem, “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” seems simple enough, but the setting of a poem is often indicative of its theme. Some find the theme of this poem questionable, in spite of its simplicity. Is it deep and mysterious, or simply the musings of a man enjoying a lovely evening before he hurries on to his duties?

The setting is rather straightforward. The speaker is...

On the surface, the setting of Robert Frost’s poem, “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” seems simple enough, but the setting of a poem is often indicative of its theme. Some find the theme of this poem questionable, in spite of its simplicity. Is it deep and mysterious, or simply the musings of a man enjoying a lovely evening before he hurries on to his duties?

The setting is rather straightforward. The speaker is traveling through the woods on a snowy night when he stops to experience his surroundings. He does not own the woods but is on another gentleman’s property, which includes a deep thicket of woodland, along with a frozen lake. It is the darkest night of the year, which indicates it is the Winter Solstice. The speaker finds the vision of the woods filling with snow enjoyable as he states, “The woods are lovely, dark and deep.” This would be indicative of Frost’s time in New Hampshire, where such a setting would prove to be an enjoyable escape to a many a New Englander.